Fifth wheel hitch assembly having direct-mount mounting brackets

ABSTRACT

A fifth wheel hitch assembly is provided. The assembly includes at least one mounting bracket adapted to support a hitch plate and a vehicle frame rail having a vertical portion and at least one horizontal portion, wherein the at least one mounting bracket is disposed on the at least one horizontal portion. Also included is a support bracket having a lower portion and an upper portion, wherein the lower portion is releasably secured to the vertical portion of the vehicle frame rail and the upper portion is releasably secured to the at least one mounting bracket.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 13/830,589, filed on Mar. 14, 2013, entitled “FIFTH WHEELASSEMBLY WITH AUTOMATIC LOCKOUTS,” and claims the benefit of U.S.Provisional Patent Application No. 61/826,270, filed on May 22, 2013,entitled “FIFTH WHEEL HITCH ASSEMBLY HAVING DIRECT-MOUNT MOUNTINGBRACKETS,” the entire contents of which are incorporated herein.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention generally relates to a fifth wheel hitch assemblyand more specifically to a fifth wheel hitch assembly usable withvehicle frame rails of various configurations.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Fifth wheel hitch assemblies are in wide use today. However, many fifthwheel hitch assemblies have complicated componentry, which may addunnecessary cost and weight to the vehicle on which it's used.Therefore, there is a need for a fifth wheel hitch assembly that doesnot suffer from the above-mentioned drawbacks.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to one aspect of the present invention, a fifth wheel hitchassembly is provided having at least one mounting bracket adapted tosupport a hitch plate, a vehicle frame rail having a vertical portionand at least one horizontal portion, wherein the at least one mountingbracket is disposed on and abuts the at least one horizontal portion,and a support bracket having a lower portion and an upper portion,wherein the lower portion is releasably secured to the vertical portionof the vehicle frame rail and the upper portion is releasably secured tothe at least one support bracket.

According to another aspect of the present invention, a fifth wheelhitch assembly is provided that includes at least one mounting bracketadapted to support a hitch plate and including a substantially verticalsurface, a vehicle frame rail having a vertical portion and at least onehorizontal portion, and a support bracket having a lower portion and anupper portion, wherein the lower portion is releasably secured to thevertical portion of the vehicle frame rail, and the upper portion isreleasably secured to the substantially vertical surface of the at leastone mounting bracket.

Yet another aspect of the present invention is to provide a fifth wheelhitch plate assembly that includes a mounting bracket adapted to supporta fifth wheel hitch plate and having a substantially vertical surface, avehicle frame rail having a substantially horizontal portion and asubstantially vertical portion, and a support bracket having a firstportion secured to the vehicle frame rail and a second portion securedto the substantially vertical surface of the mounting bracket and havinga plurality of mounting portions spaced longitudinally along the supportbracket from one another, wherein the mounting bracket is releasablysecured to less than a total number of the mounting positions.

Still yet another aspect of the present invention is to provide a fifthwheel hitch assembly that includes a first mounting bracket adapted tosupport a fifth wheel hitch plate, a second mounting bracket adapted tosupport a fifth wheel hitch plate, a first vehicle frame rail, and asecond vehicle frame rail. The fifth wheel hitch assembly furtherincludes a first support bracket having a first portion releasablysecured to the first vehicle frame rail and a second portion releasablysecured to the first mounting bracket, a second support bracket having afirst portion releasably secured to the second vehicle frame rail and asecond portion releasably secured to the second mounting bracket, and astructural cross member releasably secured to the first and secondmounting brackets.

These and other aspects, objects, and features of the present inventionwill be understood and appreciated by those skilled in the art uponstudying the following specification, claims, and appended drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a prior art fifth wheel hitch assemblymounted to vehicle frame rails;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the present inventive fifth wheel hitchassembly according to one embodiment; and

FIG. 3 is a partial, cross-sectional end view of a mounting bracket.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the hitchassembly;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of another alternative embodiment of thehitch assembly;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a support bracket of the embodiment ofthe hitch assembly shown in FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is an end view of yet another alternative embodiment of the hitchassembly;

FIG. 8 is a side elevational view of a vehicle having an alternativeembodiment of the fifth wheel hitch assembly of the present invention;

FIG. 9 is a top perspective view of a fifth wheel hitch assembly of thepresent invention on a vehicle frame;

FIG. 10 is a top perspective view of a fifth wheel hitch assembly of thepresent invention with one embodiment of a stabilizer assembly in anunlocked position;

FIG. 11 is a top perspective view of a fifth wheel hitch assembly of thepresent invention with one embodiment of a stabilizer assembly in alocked position;

FIG. 12 is an enlarged partial top perspective view of one embodiment ofa stabilizer assembly in an unlocked position;

FIG. 13 is an enlarged partial top perspective view of one embodiment ofa stabilizer assembly in a locked position;

FIG. 14 is a partial rear elevational view of one embodiment of astabilizer assembly in an unlocked position;

FIG. 15 is a partial rear elevational view of one embodiment of astabilizer assembly in a locked position;

FIG. 16 is a top perspective view of a fifth wheel hitch assembly of thepresent invention with another embodiment of a stabilizer assembly in anunlocked position;

FIG. 17 is a top perspective view of a fifth wheel hitch assembly of thepresent invention with another embodiment of a stabilizer assembly in alocked position;

FIG. 18 is an enlarged partial top perspective view of a fifth wheelhitch assembly with another embodiment of a stabilizer assembly in anunlocked position;

FIG. 19 is an enlarged partial top perspective view of a fifth wheelhitch assembly with another embodiment of a stabilizer assembly in alocked position;

FIG. 20 is an enlarged side elevational view of the stabilizer assemblyof FIG. 18; and

FIG. 21 is an enlarged side elevational view of the stabilizer assemblyof FIG. 19.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

For purposes of description herein, the terms “upper,” “lower,” “right,”“left,” “rear,” “front,” “vertical,” “horizontal,” and derivativesthereof shall relate to the invention as oriented in FIG. 2. However, itis to be understood that the invention may assume various alternativeorientations and step sequences, except where expressly specified to thecontrary. It is also to be understood that the specific devices andprocesses illustrated in the attached drawings, and described in thefollowing specification are exemplary embodiments of the inventiveconcepts defined in the appended claims. Hence, specific dimensions andother physical characteristics relating to the embodiments disclosedherein are not to be considered as limiting, unless the claims expresslystate otherwise.

A standard fifth wheel hitch assembly 10 is generally illustrated inFIG. 1. The fifth wheel hitch assembly 10 is mounted to vehicle framerails 12 of an associated vehicle, such as a tractor trailer, or trailerassembly, where each vehicle frame rail 12 has a C-shapedcross-sectional configuration including an upper horizontal top portion13, a lower horizontal bottom portion 15, and a vertical side portion 17extending therebetween. In the illustrated example, the fifth wheelhitch assembly 10 includes a hitch plate 14 typically supported above avehicle frame rail 12 by a pair of mounting brackets 16, a pair of anglemembers 18 welded to an associated vehicle frame rail 12, and anintermediate mounting member 20 positioned between the mounting brackets16 and the angle members 18.

As best illustrated in FIG. 2, the present inventive fifth wheel hitchassembly 30 includes mounting brackets 32 adapted to support a hitchplate 33. The fifth wheel hitch assembly 30 also includes supportbrackets 34 to releasably secure the mounting brackets 32 to theassociated vehicle frame rails 12. Specifically, each support bracket 34includes a lower portion 36 removably or releasably secured to thevertical portion 17 of the associated vehicle frame rail 12, and anupper portion 38 removably or releasably secured to an associatedmounting bracket 32.

In the illustrated embodiment of FIG. 2, the vertical portion 17 of theframe rail 12 includes a plurality of longitudinally spaced apertures 35a, while the lower portion 36 of the mounting bracket 34 includes aplurality of longitudinally spaced apertures 35 b, wherein each aperture35 b of the lower portion 36 is aligned with an aperture 35 a of thevertical portion 17. As shown, the apertures 35 a of the verticalportion 17 are more tightly spaced than the lower portion 36. As aresult, the apertures 35 b of the lower portion 36 can make differentalignments with the apertures 35 a of the vertical portion 17, therebyallowing more finite positioning of the support bracket 34 with respectto the frame rail 12, as well as allowing variously configured supportbrackets to be utilized. To secure the lower portion 36 of the supportbracket 34 to the vertical portion 17 of the vehicle frame rail 12,mechanical fasteners (such as bolts 39) are inserted through the alignedapertures of the lower portion 36 and the vertical portion 17.

The upper portion 38 of each support bracket 34 further includes aplurality of longitudinally-spaced apertures 50 that receive mechanicalfasteners such as bolts 52 therein that are received withincorresponding longitudinally-spaced apertures (not shown) of thecorresponding mounting bracket 32, thereby securing the mounting bracket32 to the support bracket 34. Alternatively, the upper portion 38 may befixedly secured to the associated mounting bracket 32, such as bywelding.

As best illustrated in FIG. 3, the lower portion 36 and the upperportion 38 of the support bracket 34 are horizontally offset from oneanother via an intermediate bend 54, thereby allowing the supportbrackets 34 to be utilized within various fifth wheel systems requiringdifferent widths between the pairings of support brackets 34 by changingthe inner and outer orientation of the support brackets 36 with respectto the associated frame rails 12.

It should be appreciated that the use of the present inventive mountingbracket eliminates the necessity of additional mounting components,which may result in a material size and weight reduction of the fifthwheel hitch assembly. Fifth wheel hitch assemblies requiring variousspacing between the associated support brackets are accommodated in thepresent design by configuring the mounting bracket such that the upperportion is positioned outwardly or inwardly from the lower portion.However, it is noted that planar configurations may also be employed viashims (not shown) located between the upper portion 38 of the mountingbracket 34 and the associated mounting bracket 32 in order toaccommodate for fifth wheel hitch assemblies requiring variously spacedsupport brackets.

The reference numeral 30 a (FIG. 4) generally designates anotherembodiment of the fifth wheel hitch assembly. Since the hitch assembly30 a is similar to the previously described hitch assembly 30, similarparts appearing in FIG. 2 and FIG. 4, respectively are represented bythe same, corresponding reference numeral, except for the suffix “a” inthe numerals of the latter. In the illustrated example, the upperportion 38 a of the each support bracket 34 a includes additionalapertures or mounting locations 50 a than required for releasablemounting the associated mounting bracket 32 a to the support bracket 34a. As a result, the mounting brackets 32 a may be selectively mounted atdifferent positions along the length of the support brackets 34 a.Alternatively, additional components and assembly may be releasablymounted to the additional apertures or mounting locations 50 a notoccupied by the mounting brackets 32 a. For example, additionalassemblies such as a tilt lock-out arrangement 60 adapted to engage thefifth wheel hitch plate 33 a and prevent the fifth wheel hitch plate 33a from tilting with respect to the frame rails 12 a in a manner known inthe art, and a tilt-stop arrangement 62 adapted to abut the fifth wheelhitch plate 33 a and limit the amount of tilt of the fifth wheel hitchplate 33 a, may be releasably secured to the support bracket 34 a atvarious mounting locations 50 a.

The reference numeral 30 b (FIG. 5) generally designates anotherembodiment of the present invention. Since the fifth wheel hitchassembly 30 b is similar to the previously described fifth wheel hitchassembly 30, similar parts appearing in FIG. 2 and FIG. 5, respectivelyare represented by the same, corresponding reference numeral, except forthe suffix “b” in the numeral of the latter. In the illustrated example,the support bracket 34 b (FIG. 6) is corrugated along the lengththereof, thereby increasing the relative structural integrity of thesame. As illustrated, the support bracket 34 b includes first sections70 that abut the vertical portion 17 b of the frame rail 12 b and thevertical surfaces of the mounting bracket 32 b, interspaced with secondsections 72 that are spaced from the frame rail 12 b and mountingbracket 32 b.

The fifth wheel hitch assembly 30 b further includes a dog-bone shapedstructural cross member 80 that includes a bottom wall 82 and anupwardly-extending side wall 84 surrounding a narrowed central portion86 and flared end portions 88. The cross member 80 is releasably securedto inwardly-facing surfaces of the mounting brackets 32 b by the bolts52 b that secure the mounting brackets 32 b to the support brackets 34b.

As best illustrated in FIG. 7, the various embodiments of the supportbrackets 34 as described herein may be configured such that the mountingbrackets 32 and/or the cross member 80 is spaced from the upperhorizontal portions 13 of the frame member 12, thereby defining a gap 90therebetween.

Referring now to FIGS. 8-11, the reference numeral 1010 generallydesignates a fifth wheel hitch assembly that includes a support bracket1012 adapted to operably couple with a tractor or vehicle frame 1014.The hitch assembly 1010 also includes a hitch plate 1016 that is coupledto the support bracket 1012 for pivoting between a first position and asecond position. The hitch plate 1016 has a throat 1018 adapted toreceive a kingpin 1020 of a trailer 1022. The hitch plate 1016 also hasan intermediate portion 1024 pivotably coupled with the support bracket1012 and has a rearwardly extending rear portion 1026 having a firstsection 1028 and a second section 1030 juxtapositioned across the throat1018 from one another. The hitch assembly 1010 also includes astabilizer assembly 1032 that is operable between an unlocked position1034 and a locked position 1036. In the unlocked position 1034 thestabilizer assembly 1032 is coupled with a select one of the supportbracket 1012 or the rear portion 1026 of the hitch plate 1016, such thatthe hitch plate 1016 may pivot between the first and second positions.In the locked position 1036 the stabilizer assembly 1032 is coupled withthe support bracket 1012 and the rear portion 1026 of the hitch plate1016, thereby restricting movement of the hitch plate 1016 between thefirst and second positions and supporting the first and second sections1026, 1028 of the rear portion 1026 of the hitch plate 1016. In theillustrated example, a controller 1038 operates the stabilizer assembly1032 between the unlocked and locked positions 1034, 1036 from alocation 1040 remote from the stabilizer assembly 1032.

Referring now to FIG. 8, the vehicle frame 1014 extends along a bottomportion 1042 of a tractor or vehicle 1044. The vehicle frame 1014 issupported by two front wheels 1046 at a front end 1048 of the vehicle1044 and by eight rear wheels 1050 at a rear end 1052 of the vehicle1044. The front end 1048 of the vehicle 1044 has a cab 1054, an engine1056, and fuel tanks 1058 that are supported by the vehicle frame 1014.At the rear end 1052 of the vehicle 1044, the vehicle frame or framemember 1014 supports the fifth wheel hitch assembly 1010 generallybetween the rear wheels 1050. It is contemplated, however, that fewerwheels may be included at the rear end 1052 of the vehicle 1044.

As illustrated in FIG. 9, the fifth wheel hitch assembly 1010 is coupledwith the vehicle frame 1014 generally between a forward set 1060 and arearward set 1062 of the rear wheels 1050. The vehicle frame 1014includes two parallel beams 1064 extending from the rear end 1052 (FIG.8) to the front end 1048 of the vehicle 1044 (FIG. 8). The beams 1064are positioned inside the rear wheels 1050, such that two wheels arelaterally located outside the beams 1064 on both sides of the vehicleframe 1014 for the forward and rearward sets 1060, 1062 of the rearwheel 1050. The fifth wheel hitch assembly 1010 is coupled with a topsurface 1066 of the beams 1064 of the vehicle frame 1014 and generallycentered laterally between the beams 1064. More specifically, thesupport bracket 1012 of the fifth wheel hitch assembly 1010 is coupledwith the top surface 1066 of the beams 1064 of the vehicle frame 1014.The hitch plate 1016 is pivotably coupled with the support bracket 1012,aligning the first and the second section 1028, 1030 to face rearward,substantially positioning the throat 1018 of the hitch plate 1016 in thecenter of and in parallel alignment with the beams 1064 of the vehicleframe 1014. It is contemplated that the fifth wheel hitch assembly 1010may be disposed at other locations along the rear end 1052 of thevehicle frame 1014.

Referring now to FIG. 10, the support bracket 1012 is operably coupledwith the top surface 1066 of the beams 1064. The support bracket 1012extends on the beams 1064 from a front end 1068 that is substantiallyaligned with a forward end 1070 of the hitch plate 1016 to a rear end1072 that extends beyond the rear portion 1026 of the hitch plate 1016.The rear end 1072 of the support bracket 1012 includes a support beam1074 that extends laterally between a first side 1076 and a second side1078 of the support bracket 1012, corresponding to the beams 1064.Likewise, the stabilizer assembly 1032 couples with and extends betweenthe first and second sides 1076, 1078 of the support bracket 1012.

One embodiment of the stabilizer assembly 1032, as illustrated in FIGS.10 and 11, includes a first hammer-shaped swing lock 1080 and a secondhammer-shaped swing lock 1082 that are pivotably coupled with the firstand second sides 1076, 1078 of the support bracket 1012, respectively,below the first and second sections 1028, 1030 of the hitch plate 1016.A handle end 1084 of the first and second swing lock 1080, 1082 ispivotably coupled with the support bracket 1012 in substantiallyvertical alignment with and below an aperture 1086 formed in an outerside flange 1088 of the respective first and second section 1028, 1030.The outer side flange 1088 extends down substantially orthogonally froman outside edge 1090 of an upper surface 1092 of the first and secondsection 1028, 1030. In FIG. 10, the apertures 1086 are not engaged bythe stabilizer assembly 1032, and accordingly, the stabilizer assemblyis in the unlocked position 1034, wherein the hitch plate 1016 may pivotabout the support bracket 1012 between the first and second positions.However, as shown in FIG. 11, the first and second swing lock 1080, 1082are engaged with the apertures 1086, placing the stabilizer assembly1032 in the locked position 1036, such that the hitch plate 1016 isrestricted from pivoting about the support bracket 1012 and the rearportion 1026 of the hitch plate 1016 is vertically supported at both thefirst and second section 1028, 1030.

In the unlocked position 1034, as shown in FIG. 12 without the hitchplate 1016 for illustration purposes, the first and second swing locks1080, 1082 extend laterally inward from the first and second sides 1076,1078 of the support bracket 1012, respectively, whereby the handle ends1084 of the swing locks are pivotably coupled to the sides about a pivotconnection 1094. The first and second swing locks 1080, 1082 extendinwardly to a head end 1096 that includes a cylindrically shaped post1098 extending orthogonally therefrom. Further, in the unlocked position1034, the first and second swing locks 1080, 1082 extend at an angledown and outward from the pivot connection 1094 to an actuator end 1100.A pneumatic cylinder 1102 extends between the actuator ends 1100 of thehandle ends 1084 of each of the first and second swing locks 1080, 1082.The pneumatic cylinder 1102 is operable between an expanded condition1104 (FIG. 12) and a contracted condition 1106 (FIG. 13) that operatesthe stabilizer assembly 1032 between the unlocked position 1034 and thelocked position 1036, respectively. In the locked position 1036, thecylindrically shaped posts 1098 engage the apertures 1086, detachablycoupling head ends 1096 of the first and second swing locks 1080, 1082with the first and second sections 1028, 1030 of the hitch plate 1016.

As illustrated in FIGS. 12 and 13, the pneumatic cylinder 1102 includesan extension rod 1108 and a cylinder housing 1110, wherein the extensionrod 1108 slideably moves within the cylinder housing 1110 upon operationof the pneumatic cylinder 1102 between the expanded and contractedpositions 1104, 1106. The pneumatic cylinder 1102 is pivotably coupledbetween the actuator ends 1100, at an angled location below the pivotconnections 1094 of the swing locks 1080, 1082 with the support bracket1012. As such, the swing locks 1080, 1082 are permitted to swing fromthe generally horizontal position, when the pneumatic cylinder 1102 isin the extended condition 1104, to a substantially vertical position,when the pneumatic cylinder 1102 is in the contracted condition 1106,allowing the stabilizer assembly 1032 to engage in the locked position1036. The pneumatic cylinder 1102 is operated by the controller 1038that is placed at the location 1040 (FIG. 8), remote from the stabilizerassembly 1032, located in the cab 1054 (FIG. 8) of the vehicle 1044 tooperate the stabilizer assembly 1032 between the unlocked position 1034and the lock position 1036 without a user having to exit the cab 1054 ofthe vehicle 1044. However, it is contemplated that the controller 1038may be placed at an alternative location, such as on or near the fifthwheel hitch assembly 1010. The pneumatic cylinder 1102 is of a typegenerally known and understood by those skilled in the art, such thatthe connection and internal operation of the pneumatic cylinder is notdescribed herein.

As further illustrated in FIGS. 14 and 15, in the unlocked position1034, as shown in FIG. 14, the first and second swing locks 1080, 1082are substantially horizontal and in linear alignment with each other andthe pneumatic cylinder 1102 extending there between. In such unlockedposition 1034, the cylindrical posts 1098 extend vertically andsubstantially orthogonal to the pneumatic cylinder 1102. Further, theextension rod 1108 of the pneumatic cylinder 1102 is extending from thecylinder housing 1110 of the pneumatic cylinder 1102 to position theactuator end 1100 of the first and second swing locks 1080, 1082laterally outward from the pivot connection 1094 of the swing locks withthe support bracket 1012.

As shown in FIG. 15 the extension rod 1108 of the pneumatic cylinder1102 has extended into the cylinder housing 1110, as the pneumaticcylinder 1102 is in the contracted condition 1106. In the contractedcondition 1106, the actuator ends 1100 of the first and second swinglocks 1080, 1082, have pivoted about the pivot connections 1094laterally inward from the first and second sides 1076, 1078 of thesupport bracket 1012. In the contracted condition 1106 of the pneumaticcylinder 1102, the swing locks 1080, 1082 are substantially vertical,such that the cylindrical posts 1098 on the head ends 1096 aresubstantially horizontal and in coaxial alignment with the apertures1086 formed in the first and second section 1028, 1030 of the hitchplate 1016 (FIG. 11). Accordingly, the first and second swing locks1080, 1082 pivot ninety degrees between the expanded and contractedconditions 1104, 1106 of the pneumatic cylinder 1102. The engagement ofthe cylindrical posts 1098 on the first and second swing locks 61080,1082 with the apertures 1086 place the stabilizer assembly 1032 in thelocked position 1036. It is also contemplated that the first and secondswing locks 1080, 1082 are pivotably coupled in an alternativearrangement with the support bracket 1012 or the vehicle frame 1014 suchthat the first and second swing locks 1080, 1082 couple with the firstand second section 1028, 1030, respectively, of the hitch plate 1016(FIG. 11).

Referring now to FIGS. 16 and 17, a track assembly 1112 is adapted to becoupled between the support bracket 1012 of the fifth wheel hitchassembly 1010 and the vehicle frame 1014 (not shown), allowing the hitchplate 1016 to be slideably positioned at various horizontal fore-aftpositions relative to the rear end 1052 the vehicle frame 1014 (FIG. 8).The track assembly 1112 includes a rail 1114 that is coupled with thevehicle frame 1014 and slideably engaged with a carriage 1116 supportingthe support bracket 1012. It is contemplated that the support bracket1012 may be operably coupled with the beams 1064 of the vehicle frame1014 (FIG. 9), without the track assembly, as illustrated in FIGS.10-15. However, it is also contemplated that the stabilizer assembly1032 embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 10-15, may be adapted to include atrack assembly.

As further illustrated in FIGS. 16 and 17, an alternative embodiment ofthe stabilizer assembly 1032 is shown, including a first pin 1118 andsecond pin 1120 slideably coupled below the first and second section1028, 1030 of the hitch plate 1016, respectively. A threaded rod 1122 isthreadably engaged with and extends between the first and second pins1118, 1120, such that axle rotation of the threaded rod 1122 translatesthe pins 1118, 1120 between the unlocked position 1124 (FIG. 16) and thelocked position 1126 (FIG. 17). The threaded rod 1122 is coaxiallydisposed within a cylindrical cavity 1127 in the first and second pinsand threadably engaged therein.

As shown in FIGS. 18 and 19, the fifth wheel hitch assembly 1010 isshown without the hitch plate 1016 for illustration purposes. A rotationmotor 1128 is centrally positioned between the first and second pins1118, 1120 and thereby substantially aligned below the throat of thehitch plate (FIG. 17). The rotation motor 1128 is geared to engage thethreaded rod 1122 about a geared portion (not shown) thereof, such thataxial rotation of the threaded rod 1122 by the rotation motor 1128causes, otherwise stationary, axial rotation of the threaded rod 1122.Such rotation, in turn, causes lateral translation of the first andsecond pins 1118, 1120 within a respective first tubular housing 1130and second tubular housing 1132. The first and second tubular housings1130, 1132 have a connection bracket 1134 extending vertically therefromallowing the connection bracket 1134 to attach with a bottom portion ofthe respective first and second section 1028, 1030 of the hitch plate1016 (FIG. 17). Upon pivotable alignment of the hitch plate 1016, aboutthe support bracket 1012, the first and second tubular housings 1130,1132 laterally and coaxially align with a respective first engagementport 1136 and second engagement port 1138 disposed on the supportbracket 1012. The first and second engagement ports 1136, 1138 have acylindrical hole 1140 formed therein that coaxially aligns and isadapted to receive the respective first and second pins 1118, 1120. Asshown in FIG. 19, the first pin 1118 is engaged with the hole 1140 inthe first engagement port 1136, first with a portion of the first pin1118 remaining within the first tubular housing 1130 transitioning thestabilizer assembly 1032 to the locked position 1126, wherein shearstress is applied to the first pin 1118 when the hitch plate 1016 isrestricted from pivoting about the support bracket 1012. In the lockedposition 1126, the hitch plate 1016 (not shown) is restricted frompivoting about the support bracket 1012 by both the first and secondpins 1118, 1120, stabilizing the rear portion 1026 of the hitch plate1016 at the first and second section 1028, 1030.

As shown in FIGS. 20 and 21, the threaded rod 1122 extends within thetubular housing 1130, 1132 to an outside edge 1142 thereof, andaccordingly, the threaded rod 1122 and the first and second pins 1118,1120 (not shown) threadably engaged therewith pivot with the hitch plate1016 (not shown) when the stabilizer assembly 1032 is in the unlockedposition 1124. The first and second pins 1118, 1120 are substantiallytubular shaped and include a threaded inside surface 1144 to engage thethreaded rod 1122 and a substantially smooth exterior surface 1146 toslideably engage the respective engagement port 1136, 1138 in the lockedposition 1126. The threaded rod 1122 includes a square shapedindentation 1146 on the end surface thereof. The indentation 1146 isformed to receive a tool that may be inserted through the cylindricalhole 1140 in the engagement port 1136, 1138 and engage the threaded rod1122 to axially rotate the threaded rod 1122 and thereby adjust thelateral position of the first and second pin 1118, 1120 with respect tothe first and second engagement ports 1136, 1138. It is contemplatedthat the rotation motor 1128 may not be included or may incur periods ofnon-functionality, wherein the utilization of the indentation and a toolto axially rotate the threaded rod 1122 may be necessary. It is furthercontemplated that the first and second pin 1118, 1120 may have analternative locked position 1126 from that illustrated in FIGS. 17, 19,and 21.

As generally illustrated in FIGS. 8-21 the method for stabilizing thehitch plate 1016 of the fifth wheel hitch assembly 1010 includesproviding the vehicle frame member 1014; the support bracket 1012operably coupled with the frame member 1014; and the hitch plate 1016pivotably coupled to the support bracket 1012 for pivotable movementbetween the first position and the second position, and having therearwardly extending first section 1028 and the rearwardly extendingsecond section 1030. The stabilizer assembly 1032 is operable between anunlocked position 1034, wherein the hitch plate 1016 may pivot betweenthe first and second positions, and a locked position 1036, wherein thefirst and second sections 1028, 1030 are detachably coupled with thesupport bracket 1012, thereby restricting movement of the hitch plate1016 between the first and second positions. The hitch plate 1016 ispivoted about the support bracket 1012 to position the first and secondsections 1028, 1030 in alignment with the support bracket 1012 to allowfor the stabilizer assembly 1032 to transition from the unlockedposition 1034 to the locked position 1036. The first and second sections1028, 1030 of the hitch plate 1016 are coupled with the support bracket1012 to restrict the pivotable movement of the hitch plate 1016 betweenthe first and second positions and stabilize the first and sectionsections 1028, 1030 of the hitch plate 1016, thereby engaging thestabilizer assembly 1032 in the locked position 1036.

The present inventive fifth wheel hitch assembly provides a highlymodular arrangement adaptable for use with vehicle frame assemblies ofvarying configurations. The hitch assembly further reduces initialinstallation as well as repair time and costs, increases overallstructural rigidity, is adaptable for use in many global markets withvarious restriction and legal requirements, is economical tomanufacture, and is particularly well adapted for the proposed use.

It is to be understood that variations and modifications can be made onthe aforementioned structure without departing from the concepts of thepresent invention, and further it is to be understood that such conceptsare intended to be covered by the following claims unless these claimsby their language expressly state otherwise.

What is claimed is:
 1. A fifth wheel hitch assembly, comprising: atleast one mounting bracket adapted to support a hitch plate and thatincludes a laterally outwardly facing substantially vertical surface; avehicle frame rail having a vertical portion and at least one horizontalportion, wherein the at least one mounting bracket is disposed on andabuts the at least one horizontal portion, and wherein at least aportion of the at least one mounting bracket is positioned verticallyabove the at least one horizontal portion of the vehicle frame rail; anda support bracket having a lower portion and an upper portion, whereinthe lower portion is directly secured to the vertical portion of thevehicle frame rail and the upper portion is secured to and abuts thesubstantially vertical surface of the at least one mounting bracket. 2.The fifth wheel hitch assembly of claim 1, wherein the at least onehorizontal portion of the vehicle frame rail comprises two horizontalportions adjoined to the vertical portion to form a C-shapedconfiguration.
 3. The fifth wheel hitch assembly of claim 1, wherein thesupport bracket is releasably secured to the vertical portion of thevehicle frame rail.
 4. The fifth wheel hitch assembly of claim 3,wherein the vertical portion of the vehicle frame rail comprises a firstplurality of longitudinally spaced apertures to which the supportbracket is releasably secured.
 5. The fifth wheel hitch assembly ofclaim 4, wherein the lower portion of the support bracket comprises asecond plurality of longitudinally spaced apertures, wherein eachaperture of the second plurality of longitudinally spaced apertures iscapable of being aligned with an aperture of the first plurality oflongitudinally spaced apertures.
 6. The fifth wheel hitch assembly ofclaim 5, wherein the first plurality of longitudinally spaced aperturescomprises a greater number of apertures than the second plurality oflongitudinally spaced apertures, thereby enabling the second pluralityof longitudinally spaced apertures to make different alignments with thefirst plurality of longitudinally spaced apertures such that eachalignment corresponds to a different support bracket position withrespect to the vehicle frame rail.
 7. The fifth wheel hitch assembly ofclaim 6, wherein the lower portion of the support bracket is removablysecured to the vertical portion of the vehicle frame rail via mechanicalfasteners inserted through the aligned apertures of the first and secondplurality of longitudinally spaced apertures.
 8. The fifth wheel hitchassembly of claim 1, wherein the support bracket is releasably securedto the at least one mounting bracket.
 9. The fifth wheel hitch assemblyof claim 1, wherein the lower portion and the upper portion of thesupport bracket are coplanar with one another.
 10. The fifth wheel hitchassembly of claim 1, wherein the lower portion comprises a firstvertical planar portion, and the upper portion comprises a secondvertical planar portion, and wherein the first and second planarportions are at least partially horizontally off-set from one another.11. The fifth wheel hitch assembly of claim 1, wherein the supportbracket is corrugated along the length thereof.
 12. The fifth wheelhitch assembly of claim 1, wherein the lower portion of the supportbracket abuts the vertical portion of the vehicle frame rail.
 13. Thefifth wheel hitch assembly of claim 1, wherein the upper portion of thesupport bracket abuts the at least one mounting bracket.
 14. A fifthwheel hitch assembly, comprising: at least one mounting bracket adaptedto support a hitch plate and including a substantially vertical surface;a vehicle frame rail having a vertical portion and at least onehorizontal portion; and an integral, one-piece support bracket having alower portion and an upper portion, wherein the lower portion isdirectly secured to the vertical portion of the vehicle frame rail andthe upper portion is secured to and abuts the substantially verticalsurface of the at least one mounting bracket, wherein at least a portionof the at least one mounting bracket is positioned vertically over theat least one horizontal portion of the vehicle frame rail, and whereinthe at least one mounting bracket abuts the at least one horizontalportion of the vehicle frame rail.
 15. The fifth wheel hitch assembly ofclaim 14, wherein the mounting bracket is vertically-spaced from the atleast one horizontal portion of the vehicle frame rail.
 16. The fifthwheel hitch assembly of claim 15, wherein the mounting bracket and atleast one horizontal portion of the vehicle frame rail cooperate to forman open gap spaced vertically therebetween.
 17. The fifth wheel hitchassembly of claim 14, wherein the at least one horizontal portion of thevehicle frame rail comprises two horizontal portions adjoined to thevertical portion to form a C-shaped configuration.
 18. The fifth wheelhitch assembly of claim 14, wherein the support bracket is releasablysecured to the vertical portion of the vehicle frame rail.
 19. The fifthwheel hitch assembly of claim 18, wherein the vertical portion of thevehicle frame rail comprises a first plurality of longitudinally spacedapertures to which the support bracket is releasably secured.
 20. Thefifth wheel hitch assembly of claim 19, wherein the lower portion of thesupport bracket comprises a second plurality of longitudinally spacedapertures, wherein each aperture of the second plurality oflongitudinally spaced apertures is capable of being aligned with anaperture of the first plurality of longitudinally spaced apertures. 21.The fifth wheel hitch assembly of claim 20, wherein the first pluralityof longitudinally spaced apertures comprises a greater number ofapertures than the second plurality of longitudinally spaced apertures,thereby enabling the second plurality of longitudinally spaced aperturesto make different alignments with the first plurality of longitudinallyspaced apertures such that each alignment corresponds to a differentsupport bracket position with respect to the vehicle frame rail.
 22. Thefifth wheel hitch assembly of claim 21, wherein the lower portion of thesupport bracket is removably secured to the vertical portion of thevehicle frame rail via mechanical fasteners inserted through the alignedapertures of the first and second plurality of longitudinally spacedapertures.
 23. The fifth wheel hitch assembly of claim 14, wherein thesupport bracket is releasably secured to the at least one mountingbracket.
 24. The fifth wheel hitch assembly of claim 14, wherein thelower portion and the upper portion of the support bracket are coplanarwith one another.
 25. The fifth wheel hitch assembly of claim 14,wherein the lower portion comprises a first vertical planar portion, andthe upper portion comprises a second vertical planar portion, partiallyhorizontally off-set from one another.
 26. The fifth wheel hitchassembly of claim 14, wherein the lower portion of the support bracketabuts the vertical portion of the vehicle frame rail.
 27. The fifthwheel hitch assembly of claim 14, wherein the upper portion of thesupport bracket abuts the at least one mounting bracket.
 28. A fifthwheel hitch assembly, comprising: at least one mounting bracket adaptedto support a hitch plate; a vehicle frame rail having a vertical portionand at least one horizontal portion, wherein the at least one mountingbracket abuts the at least one horizontal portion; and a support brackethaving a lower portion and an upper portion, wherein the lower portionis directly secured to an outboard surface of the vertical portion ofthe vehicle frame rail and the upper portion is secured to and abuts theat least one mounting bracket such that the upper portion prevents theat least one mounting bracket from moving along a length of the vehicleframe rail.
 29. The fifth wheel hitch assembly of claim 28, wherein theat least one horizontal portion of the vehicle frame rail comprises twohorizontal portions adjoined to the vertical portion to form a C-shapedconfiguration.
 30. The fifth wheel hitch assembly of claim 28, whereinthe support bracket is releasably secured to the vertical portion of thevehicle frame rail.
 31. The fifth wheel hitch assembly of claim 28,wherein the support bracket is releasably secured to the at least onemounting bracket.
 32. The fifth wheel hitch assembly of claim 28,wherein the lower portion and the upper portion of the support bracketare coplanar with one another.
 33. The fifth wheel hitch assembly ofclaim 28, wherein the lower portion comprises a first vertical planarportion, and the upper portion comprises a second vertical planarportion, and wherein the first and second planar portions are at leastpartially horizontally off-set from one another.
 34. The fifth wheelhitch assembly of claim 28, wherein the support bracket is corrugatedalong the length thereof.
 35. The fifth wheel hitch assembly of claim28, wherein the lower portion of the support bracket abuts the verticalportion of the vehicle frame rail.
 36. The fifth wheel hitch assembly ofclaim 28, wherein the upper portion of the support bracket abuts the atleast one mounting bracket.
 37. A fifth wheel hitch assembly,comprising: at least one mounting bracket adapted to support a hitchplate and including a substantially vertical surface; a vehicle framerail having a vertical portion and at least one horizontal portion; andan integral, one-piece support bracket having a lower portion and anupper portion, wherein the lower portion is directly secured to anoutboard surface of the vertical portion of the vehicle frame rail andthe upper portion is secured to and abuts the substantially verticalsurface of the at least one mounting bracket, and wherein the at leastone mounting bracket abuts the at least one horizontal portion of thevehicle frame rail.
 38. The fifth wheel hitch assembly of claim 37,wherein the mounting bracket is vertically-spaced from the horizontalportion of the vehicle frame rail.
 39. The fifth wheel hitch assembly ofclaim 38, wherein the mounting bracket and horizontal portion of thevehicle frame rail cooperate to form an open gap spaced verticallytherebetween.
 40. The fifth wheel hitch assembly of claim 37, whereinthe at least one horizontal portion of the vehicle frame rail comprisestwo horizontal portions adjoined to the vertical portion to form aC-shaped configuration.
 41. The fifth wheel hitch assembly of claim 37,wherein the support bracket is releasably secured to the verticalportion of the vehicle frame rail.
 42. The fifth wheel hitch assembly ofclaim 37, wherein the support bracket is releasably secured to the atleast one mounting bracket.
 43. The fifth wheel hitch assembly of claim37, wherein the lower portion and the upper portion of the supportbracket are coplanar with one another.
 44. The fifth wheel hitchassembly of claim 37, wherein the lower portion comprises a firstvertical planar portion, and the upper portion comprises a secondvertical planar portion, partially horizontally off-set from oneanother.
 45. The fifth wheel hitch assembly of claim 37, wherein thelower portion of the support bracket abuts the vertical portion of thevehicle frame rail.
 46. The fifth wheel hitch assembly of claim 37,wherein the upper portion of the support bracket abuts the at least onemounting bracket.
 47. A fifth wheel hitch assembly, comprising: at leastone mounting bracket adapted to support a hitch plate; a vehicle framerail having a vertical portion and at least one horizontal portion,wherein the at least one mounting bracket abuts the at least onehorizontal portion; and a support bracket having a lower portion and anupper portion, wherein the lower portion is directly secured to anoutboard surface of the vertical portion of the vehicle frame rail andthe upper portion is secured to and abuts an outboard surface of the atleast one mounting bracket.